Caregiving in a War Zone
The other day, I was listening to a banker talking about the volatility of financial markets. She used a term I hadn’t heard before – VUCA. It’s a military term…
Donna Thomson
Celebrate….with Cake!
It’s important to find ways to treat ourselves and those we love. It’s important to celebrate special occasions and to simply celebrate…. even if there is no special occasion. It’s…
The Sessions: Sex, Love, Disability and Dreaming
Sometimes I see a post in the newspaper or in another writer’s blog that is simply too good and too relevant not to share with my readers here. This is…
Caregiving Chores – Love ‘Em, Hate ‘Em
Every caregiver will tell you there are some tasks that feel like nails on a blackboard. And to add insult to injury, these despised jobs are the ones that need…
Very Special Gifts
There are always one or two gifts at Christmas that become family heirlooms. They are the hand-made gifts – those crafted carefully and thoughtfully for someone who is particularly loved.…
A Christmas Story Reprinted Just Because
Merry Christmas Everyone! I wanted to share this wonderful story that a friend sent to me this Christmas night. It seems just right for anyone who cares for someone they…
How the Grinch Got Christmas
A few weeks ago, Nicholas came home to help decorate our Christmas tree. Nick is never that interested in the ‘girlie’ stuff of decorating, but he was only slightly grinch-like…
This Christmas, We are Thankful for Tyze
This Christmas, our family is grateful for Tyze Personal Networks. For those new to my blog, I am the mother of a young man with severe disabilities who is adored…
Unimaginable Tragedy
Today, I was going to post about my trip to Montreal in order to bring my Mum home from the hospital. But driving home today, listening to the radio, I…
C-Difficile – The Evil Bacteria That Makes Life Miserable
When my son Nicholas was about fourteen, he had a major hip surgery. Because of his severe cerebral palsy, the doctors decided it would be best to send Nicholas straight…
The Twelve Days of a Caregiver’s Christmas
The Twelve Days of A Caregiver’s Christmas On the First Day of Christmas, I made my list of presents to buy for our family. On the Second Day of Christmas,…
How To Live Without Irony: Just Ask a Caregiver
VS A day or two ago, I was driving along the highway enroute to visit Nicholas, my young man who lives in a truly cozy and pleasant care home. Nick…
Redefining Dementia – Let’s All Go to Denmark
Very recently, I came across a UK award-winning initiative for people with Alzheimer's that I thought was, well, 'barmy'. The social enterprise is called "Dementia Adventure" and aims to connect…
You’ll Never Walk Alone
I am proud to call Canadian Supreme Court Justice Rosie Abella a friend. A few days ago, I was watching the television news when a story about a disability rights…
Future Fantasy: Technology and Communication
This morning I was driving through the rain as I listened to CBC radio. I was relaxed after a hard workout at the gym – always a great state for…
The Right to Give Care to Someone You Love
Recently, I spoke on the telephone with another writer who six months ago, lost her beloved mother to cancer. Christabel Shaler writes a blog called The Ethical Hustler for the…
Five Tips for Surviving Caregiving
A few weeks ago, I travelled to Vancouver to address a family association and also to give a talk about how we use Tyze Personal Networks to coordinate Nick's care.…